North Canterbury Vets are a mixed practice which deals with dairy cows, beef, sheep, deer, horses and alpacas as well as companion animals. Our team has an ethical focus to assist in developing and growing our clients' businesses and providing quality health care to ensure that their livestock and pets live healthy and productive lives.
Dental Disease and why it is so Dangerous
What is dental disease?
Dental/gum disease is the same in cats and dogs as it is in people and can cause many of the same issues.
Gum disease (gingivitis) is an infection resulting from daily build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue when plaque is allowed to accumulate, which can further lead to infection in the bone and ligaments surrounding the teeth (periodontitis). Hard dental tartar (calculus) develops when calcium salts from the saliva bind to the bacteria in the plaque.
What makes it dangerous?
Irritated and infected gums not only lead to bad breath but also chronic pain (which pets hide really well and often goes unnoticed). Tooth roots may become so severely affected (tooth root abscesses) that they cause dental bone loss. These teeth will become loose and painful. Bacteria surrounding these tooth roots gain access to the blood stream ("bacteremia") causing damage to your pet’s kidneys, heart muscle and liver.
All of this means that dental disease can cause your pet severe pain and greatly reduce their overall health and quality of life.
Talk to us about how a free Nurse Dental Check can help to identify any issues early, allowing them to be fixed before they become a problem.
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